European Elections 2014

Bulgaria's Prosecution Launches Probe into Bobov Dol Vote Affair

Bulgaria's Prosecuting Authority has started an investigation into claims of controlled vote in the Bobov Dol coal mines days ahead of the European elections.

The move was prompted by private channel NOVA TV's report which shows the mine's chief as reminding to workers the number of the ballot which they are to cast on Sunday.

On a secretly taken footage, he also says that miners who follow the instruction will get their wages earlier.

A worker wishing to remain anonymous could be seen as admitting that the advanced payment grew to reach BGN 150 (EUR 75) this month. He also claims that at the beginning of May their chiefs promised investments into the mine and a better life for him and his colleagues, but explained the support of a certain political party is necessary to attract the money.

Those who wish to comply with their directors' will, in order to later be rewarded, enter their names in a list, the man argues.

Other people are to follow them on election day to find out if they have cast their ballot in the right way.

Workers opting not to vote (despite having included their names into the list) will be reportedly facing dismissal.

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Europe Votes 2014

About Europe Votes 2014

Across Europe, voters in 27 countries are going to the polls to choose a total of 736 MEPs to represent them for the next five years. But what are they all voting for, or against? Are they driven by the desire to find their own voice in the union, or simply to punish their government at a time of economic crisis? Read comment on the passion and fury - not to mention indifference - across a continent from Paris to Warsaw.